Callum McGregor feels Celtic need to alter their tactical approach against Rangers if they are to maintain the lead in Old Firm games.
Thursday's comprehensive defeat at Ibrox was the first time Brendan Rodgers' side had tasted defeat in the match since May 2023, with a seven-match unbeaten run in the derby coming to an end.
Despite Philippe Clement having to mount a defence, the visitors only had one significant shot on goal and their midfield was unable to exert any degree of control.
Following a victory in the Premier Sports Cup final in which the Belgian team caused more problems than in their previous defeats, Parkhead captain McGregor believes his team will now have to rethink their approach to playing Rangers.
“They were placed in the low block and it was difficult for us to pass,” he admitted.
“We need to look at that and tweak it a little bit to give ourselves a little bit more comfort in the game and allow us to get the territory that will make us feel comfortable.”
Celtic captain Callum McGregor could not explain his team's below-average Ibrox performance.
It was a sobering afternoon for the visitors, who suffered their first home defeat this season.
Manager Brendan Rodgers admitted Celtic were far from their best on Thursday
“So, there are a couple of little warning signs and a lot of the big moments in the game come from that, the kind of transition moments where they managed to block a pass and then play forward from there.
“There are signs that we need to fix it…and try to fix it as quickly as we can.”
McGregor echoed his manager's view of the game, accepting that a poor Celtic performance got exactly what it deserved.
“There's no point in making excuses,” he added. “We showed up, we wanted to win the game, but we were never really competitive in the game, so the only thing you can do is accept responsibility and find a way to turn it around.”
'That's why we're here. We are here to try to win as many football games as we can. And then when something goes wrong, you have to reflect and find out why.'
Celtic suffered just two defeats in all competitions throughout 2024. McGregor hopes this year's unfortunate start can now act as a wake-up call.
“It just shows you that if you're not competitive in the game, that can happen,” he said. “It's probably a testament to how well we've done and how much we've managed to get here, get results and play well.”
'So, it's just a reminder that, if you're not in the money. So these games are difficult and you can lose them. Then the pressure starts to increase.
Ianis Hagis put Rangers ahead in the seventh minute to give the hosts the perfect start.
Danilo, a second-half substitute, beat Kasper Schmeichel to seal the three points.
'The players are happy to take responsibility. We're the ones who go out and try to perform and try to achieve the success that we need, so we have to take responsibility when it doesn't go well.
'That's what we have, the great characters who will take responsibility. “We will find a way to fix it and then try to rectify it as quickly as we can.”
While Celtic's lead at the top of the table remains 11 points, McGregor insists it is not in the players' mindset to simply shrug off such a poor day at the office.
“You don't want to lose any football game,” he said. 'When you lose, you feel it immediately. You feel the tension after the game, everyone feels it.
'So, yeah, there's no point in trying to make excuses. We were not at the level, we never played. And if you don't, you don't deserve to win. Therefore, the solution must be found quickly.”
Celtic have a chance to bounce back tomorrow when they host St Mirren at Parkhead.
“That's the good thing,” McGregor said. “Obviously, it's a different opponent and everything, but you can try to get it out of your system.”
“There's a lot of football in January, so just go back to trying to pick them off one at a time and get that performance going, get a lot of energy and just pick them off one at a time.”